Territory



(No Modell) R. H. LEE.

DESIGNATION BADGE. H No. 382,367. Patented'May 8, 1888 %m w, My $51 114!wo b Nv PETERS. Phot ulhognphun Winhingtovl, n, c.

an enlarged View similar to Fig. 1.

llNirnn STATES ATENT @rrrcn.

RICHARD HENRY LEE, OF ALTOONA, DAKOTA TERRITORY.

DESIGNATION-BADGE.

EJPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 382,367, dated May 8,1888.

Application filed June 1, 1887. Serial No. 289,957 (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD HENRY LEE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Altoona, in the county of Beadle and Territory of Dakota,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Badges; and I dodeclare the following to'be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in badges adapted for the use ofmembers of military or other organizations, and which are provided withmeans for indicating the special organization to which the wearerbelongs.

The invention is fully described and explained in thisspecification, andshown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is an elevationof a completed badge provided with the facing and lettering hereinafterdescribed. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the frame and back plate of thebadge. Fig. 3 is Fig. 4 is a transverse section of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 isatransverse section of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the badgeframe. Fig. 7 is an elevation of one of the detachable characters usedin lettering the badge.

In the drawings, A isa preferably rectangular frame; and B is a plateformed integrally with the frame or attached to it either permanently ordetachably and provided with any desired number of longitudinal slotsI), and also with a suitable pin, b, for attaching the badge to thedress of the wearer.

G is a layer of cloth or other fabric of any desired material and colorlying in front of and covering the slotted plate B and glued orotherwise fastened thereto. When the badge is to be used by a militaryorganization, the color of the fabric may be made to designate the armof the service to which the organization belongs; and it is evidentthatthe pattern or figure of the fabric may also be made distinctive, ifdesired.

In order to further designate the organization, I apply to the badge anysuitable detachable characters, -D, each of which is furnished withtangs d, preferably pointed and adapted to pass through the fabric 0 andthe slots 1) and to be bent into a plane parallel with and against therear face of the plate 13, as shown in Fig. 5. When the characters arethus at tached to the badge, they are held securely against accidentaldisplacement, their longitudinal movement with reference to the slots oftheplate being prevented by the fabric through which the tangs pass, andtheir transverse movement with reference to said slots being preventedby the walls of the slots themselves. As shown in the drawings, theslots are so spaced as to accommodate both large and small characters,and for all ordinary purposes the three slots shown are sufficient. Itis evident, however, that the number of slots may be in creased atpleasure,and I do not therefore limit the inventionin this regard to theexact form shown. The badge being constructed and the parts connected asdescribed, it is evident that the characters may be detached andreplaced by others, or the fabric lying between the characters and theplate B maybe renewed or varied at pleasure, and that the same badge maythus be altered with but little trouble and slight eX- pense to suit anyorganization.

The frame A or plate B may be provided with any suitable pin or bar forthe attachment of a suspending ribbon and emblem,such as are shown inFig. l; but as this feature constitutes no part of my invention and is awellknown element in badges ofthis class, no illustration of it isthought to be necessary.

I am aware that signs have been constructed by sticking barbed lettersinto a backing of cloth or cork; but my device differs essentially fromboth of these, and is a decided improvement upon them.

In the patented badges a great deal of time must be consumed inarranging the letters, and it is extremely difficult, if not impossible,to secure them in proper alignment. Furthermore, the cork or clothbacking is yielding, and as the barbs are simply thrust into the backingthe letters are very liable to be accidentally displaced or removed. Inmy device the letters can be applied very rapidly, the slots in themetal plate bringing them into accurate alignment as fast as they areapplied and without any especial care on the part of the workman. Thisis an important point in an invention of this kind, where largequantities must be made, and frequently in great haste to fill ordersfor conventions and the like. Furthermore, the letters are firmlysecured, by reason of the barbs being clinched upon the metal backing,so that they are entirely safe from accidental displacement.

Having now described and explained my invention, what I claim as new,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isa I 1. In a badge, thecombination, with the plate formed with suitable openings, of a layer offabric covering the face of said plate, and

characters provided with tangs adapted to pass through said fabric andthe openings in said plate and to be clinched upon the rear face of theplate, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with the plate B, having a frame, A, and formed withslots b, of the detachable fabric 0, covering the face of said plate,and the characters D, provided with tangs d, adapted to pass through thefabric and the slots b and to be clinched upon the back of the plate,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD HENRY LEE.

Witnesses:

CHAS. H. NEWELL, BENJ. W. GARDNER.

